France for nuclear pact with India France was looking forward to “large-scale nuclear co-operation” with India in the civilian arena once India reached a satisfactory agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), French Ambassador to India Jerome Bonnafont said here on Thursday. The Hindu

Presidential Candidates Come Out Strong on Iran U.S. foreign policy has not been the No.1 focus of the presidential campaign. But one nation often invokes sharp comment from the candidates: Iran. NPR

UAE leading way in peaceful use of civilian nuclear energy The Middle East is turning to nuclear power as the only way to provide enough energy to handle the growth that all Arab states will go through over the next 40 years. Gulf News

Yemen, France discuss generating electricity from nuclear energy Minister of Electricity and Energy Mustafa Bahran discussed on Thursday with Director of International Nuclear Affairs in France Electric Company and other officials in the company cooperation between Yemen and France in field of generating electricity from nuclear energy. Saba News

Other Nuclear News

North Korea Gives U.S. Files on Plutonium Efforts North Korea has turned over to the United States 18,000 pages of documents related to its plutonium program dating from 1990, in an effort to resolve remaining differences in a pending agreement meant to begin the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Bush administration officials said Thursday. NYT

U.S. Declines to Help Present Nuclear Deal to Iran World powers will in the coming days offer a revised package of incentives to Iran but Washington has refused to send its own envoy to help present the deal, diplomats and a U.S. official said on Thursday. Reuters

State Department Asks Congress To Keep Quiet About Details of Deal Washington’s civil nuclear deal with India is in such desperate straits that the State Department has imposed unusually strict conditions on the answers it provided to questions posed by members of Congress: Keep them secret. WP

Arms expert says China making dramatic improvements to nuclear arsenal A leading arms expert said Thursday that China is making dramatic improvements to its nuclear arsenal, raising questions for future arms control efforts. AP

Brazil focuses on nuclear program Brazil’s government plans to move forward with its nuclear program. Over the next several years Brazil will begin work on nuclear power plants and an atomic submarine, said Science and Technology Minister Sergio Rezende. UPI

Putin vows more cash for Russia’s nuclear defences New Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin promised on Thursday to pay higher wages to members of the nuclear and air defense forces — the pillars of national security — and to create a special fund to finance it. Reuters

Jordan, Canada to finalize of nuclear cooperation accord Jordan and Canada plan to wrap up a nuclear cooperation agreement this summer, Khalid Touqan, head of Jordan’s Nuclear Authority, said Thursday. DPA

Western states rebuff plan for Italian nuclear waste in Utah Eight Western states on Thursday rejected a company’s plan to ship tons of radioactive waste from Italy for disposal in Utah, saying importing foreign loads would violate the group’s rules. AP

Opinion and Analysis

Target: Iran? Newsweek

Chief U.N. monitor hopes for clarity on Syria site soon The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Wednesday he hoped to be able to shed light in the next few weeks on whether a Syrian facility bombed by Israel last year was an undeclared atomic reactor. Reuters

US extends Syria sanctions President George W. Bush said Wednesday he was extending US sanctions against Syria following Washington’s charge that Damascus had been building a nuclear reactor with North Korea’s help. AFP

IAEA chief sees ‘good progress’ in talks with Iran UN atomic watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei Wednesday welcomed “good progress” in talks with Iran, noting that a team was in Tehran to discuss the country’s “alleged studies of weaponization.” AFP

Iran offers nuclear deal but refuses to stop enrichment Iran said yesterday that it is to present the international community with a new package of proposals aimed at breaking the diplomatic deadlock over the country’s nuclear programme. The Guardian

5 nations may present new Iran offer in person Senior envoys from five of the six nations bargaining with Iran over its disputed nuclear program may try to get talks moving by making a special face-to-face appeal, U.S. an European officials said Wednesday. AP

EU, IAEA to enhance cooperation in nuclear energy The European Commission and the UN nuclear watchdog on Wednesday signed a joint statement on enhanced cooperation in nuclear energy. Xinhua

Manmohan hopes Left will clear the way Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said he was optimistic of the Left parties clearing the path for the safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency during their May 28 meeting with the United Progressive Alliance. The Hindu

Other Nuclear News

US hopes for progress on N Korea talks The US hopes to secure information it has sought for months when its senior state department official on Korea arrives in Pyongyang on Thursday. FT

NKorea has ten plutonium war charges-SKorean official North Korea has up to ten plutonium war charges in its nuclear arsenal. These data were given by former South Korean foreign minister and delegation head at the six-party talks on denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula Lee Soo-hyuck in his book, published in Seoul. Itar-tass

Lawmakers Urge Bush to Shelve Russia Nuclear Deal Key U.S. lawmakers urged President George W. Bush on Wednesday to shelve a civilian nuclear cooperation pact with Russia until concerns about Russia’s nuclear ties to Iran are cleared up. Reuters

France launches international wing of nuclear agency The French cabinet passed a decree on Wednesday allowing the country’s Atomic Energy Commission to promote French nuclear expertise and safety standards globally. Reuters

Spain watchdog boosts screening after nuclear leak Spain’s nuclear watchdog has stepped up screening of workers and visitors to the Asco I power station following a radioactive leak reported last month. Reuters

Nuclear accidents ‘can destroy entire Gulf’ GULF countries have again been warned that a nuclear accident in any one state could render the entire region uninhabitable. Gulf Daily News

Pakistan Tests Nuclear - Capable Cruise Missile Pakistan successfully tested a nuclear-capable, air-launched cruise missile with a range of 350 km (220 miles) on Thursday, the military said, a day after India tested a long-range missile. Reuters

Opinion and Analysis

Verifying Nuclear Disarmament: The Inspector’s Agenda Arms Control Today

New friends and old The Economist

Diplomats say IAEA chief urging more US flexibility on Iran The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency urged Washington on Tuesday to show more sensitivity in dealing with Iran if it hopes to see Tehran make concessions on its nuclear program, diplomats said. AP

Indian Coalition, Communists Fail to End Atomic Accord Deadlock India’s federal ruling coalition and its communist allies failed to break the deadlock on the stalled civilian nuclear accord with the U.S. as their eighth meeting ended inconclusively today. Bloomberg/ The Hindu

India has to resolve N-deal issue in home politics: US As the Indian coalition government and its leftist supporters held another inconclusive round on the stalled India-US civil nuclear deal, Washington said it was for New Delhi to resolve an issue of domestic politics. The Economic Times

IAEA mission arrives in Minsk to prepare construction of NPP IAEA mission for the preparations for the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Belarus arrived in Minsk on Tuesday. Itar-tass

Other Nuclear News

U.S.’ Negroponte to Visit Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing Deputy U.S. Secretary of State John Negroponte will travel to Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing this month, the State Department announced on Tuesday as the United States continues its push for a long-delayed declaration of North Korea’s nuclear activities. Reuters

Minister says new incentive package for Iran very generous French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Tuesday that an incentive package offered by leading powers to draw Iran into dialogue is “very generous” and will be delivered to Tehran within days. AP

Vietnam may pass nuclear policy in May Vietnam’s National Assembly is likely to approve a nuclear energy law this month. The country’s top legislator is expected to pass the law, possibly creating the opportunity for the nation’s first nuclear power plant, Xinhua reported. UPI

US - Russia pact faces opposition in Congress A U.S.-Russia civilian nuclear power deal signed Tuesday ran into immediate trouble on Capitol Hill, where two senators said they would try to block the deal because it could hurt efforts to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons. AP

Nuclear energy heats up US presidential race John McCain embraces it. Barack Obama wants to address its flaws. Hillary Clinton is cautious but not opposed. Reuters

China shrugs off report of tropical nuclear sub base China refused to be drawn on Tuesday on a photograph which Jane’s Information Group analysts believe is evidence of a new underground nuclear submarine base off the southern tropical island of Hainan. Reuters

Carbon charges make nuclear cheapest choice Carbon dioxide charges and federal incentives would increase nuclear energy’s cost competitiveness against other generation options making it the USA’s most competitive source of new generation in the long run, a study by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has found. WNN

Areva to build uranium enrichment plant in the U.S. Areva, the French energy services company, said Tuesday that it planned to build a $2 billion uranium enrichment facility in the United States. AP

India Tests Long - Range Nuclear - Capable Missile India successfully tested a home-grown, long-range missile on Wednesday, capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to targets more than 3,000 km (1,900 miles) away, the government said in a statement. Reuters

Opinion and Analysis

North Korea and the Incident in the Syrian Desert Arms Control Today

New offer threatens Iran’s ‘red line’ Asia Times

Middle Eastern States Seeking Nuclear Power Arms Control Today

Analysis: Storage needs for nuclear growth UPI

Hillary Clinton goes nuclear FT

Iran rejects tougher atom checks Iran on Monday ruled out accepting intrusive nuclear inspections unless there was an end to “double standards” on global non-proliferation that it said benefited nuclear arms powers including Israel. Reuters

IAEA to oversee Belarus nuclear plant project An IAEA mission will arrive in Belarus on Tuesday for a three-day visit to oversee a project to build the country’s first nuclear power plant, the general designer said. Ria Novosti

Other Nuclear News

U.S. Says Iran Will Get Incentives “Very Quickly” World powers very soon will present Iran with a revised package of incentives to give up its sensitive nuclear work, U.S. officials said on Monday, but expectations for a positive response are low. Reuters

Israeli president likens Iranian nuclear threat to Hitler In sweeping comments Monday before Israel’s 60th anniversary, Israeli President Shimon Peres compared the Iranian nuclear threat to Hitler’s Germany and said engaging Gaza’s Hamas rulers would be like talking to a wall. AP

Report: State Department official to visit North Korea this week The State Department’s top Korean affairs specialist plans to visit North Korea this week for further discussions on the country’s nuclear declaration, a South Korean news report said Monday. AP

NATO chief warns more nations could follow Iran and North Korea’s nuclear ambitions NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has warned that more nations may follow the examples of Iran and North Korea and work to develop nuclear weapons. AP

Russia, U.S. To Sign Civilian Nuclear Pact: Source Russia and the United States will sign a long awaited civilian nuclear cooperation pact on Tuesday, the last full day of Vladimir Putin’s presidency, a Russian official said. Reuters

Navy chief worried over China’s nuclear submarines The Indian Navy Chief expressed concern on Monday over the number of nuclear submarines China is acquiring. Admiral Sureesh Mehta said though India is not worried about Beijing building a strategic naval base on the Hainan Island near South China Sea, it is concerned about the numbers. Hindustan Times

Japan, Kazakhstan to push nuclear co-operation Energy-hungry Japan and resource-rich Kazakhstan vowed on Monday to develop cooperation in uranium production and nuclear energy, cementing previous agreements in the strategic sector. Reuters

Nuclear reactors will cost twice estimate, says E.ON chief The Government has vastly underestimated the cost of building a new generation of nuclear power plants, according to the head of the world’s largest power company. The Times

Fungi to fight nuclear fall-out Fungi could help clean up nuclear hotspots, scientists at a Scottish university have discovered. Researchers at Dundee University have found evidence that fungi can “lock” depleted uranium into a mineral form. BBC

Big Powers Agree on New Bid for Iranian Nuclear Freeze The world’s major powers agreed in London on Friday to offer Iran modest new incentives to coax it to freeze important nuclear activities. NYT

UPA-Left panel meet tomorrow The United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-Left Committee on the India-U.S. nuclear deal would meet here on Tuesday, with the Left maintaining that there would not be any change in its total opposition to the 123 agreement. The Hindu

Syria says US allegations about weapons-capable nuclear reactor are part of ‘madness’ Syria said Friday that U.S. allegations about a weapons-capable nuclear reactor were part of a policy of “madness.” AP

Other Nuclear News

Iran Rules Out Halt to Sensitive Nuclear Work Iran ruled out halting its disputed nuclear work on Monday, saying it would not consider any incentives offered by world powers that violated the Islamic Republic’s atomic rights. Reuters

Iran tells UK not to cross “red lines” in atomic offer Iran told Britain not to cross any “red lines” when preparing incentives for the Islamic Republic aimed at ending a row with the West over Tehran’s nuclear programme, the Iranian foreign minister said on Saturday. AP

MI6 chief visits Mossad for talks on Iran’s nuclear threat THE head of MI6, Sir John Scarlett, is to visit Israel later this month as Britain forges closer links with Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service. The Sunday Times

Top U.S. Officer Says Would Prefer No War on Iran U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq would make it difficult to mount any attack on Iran, the Pentagon’s top officer said in remarks broadcast on Monday, adding that he would prefer to avoid a new regional war. Reuters

Obama says Clinton’s talk on Iran too much like Bush’s Barack Obama likened Hillary Rodham Clinton to President Bush for threatening to “totally obliterate” Iran if it attacks Israel and called her gas-tax holiday a gimmick as he tried to fend off her challenge ahead of two pivotal Democratic primaries. AP

Analysts Divided on Clinton’s Arab Defense Plan Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) has ratcheted up her rhetoric against Iran, pledging recently to extend U.S. nuclear protection to friendly Arab nations against Iran’s nuclear ambitions and asserting that if Tehran considers attacking Israel, “we would be able to totally obliterate them.” WP

US envoy to visit North Korea from Monday A US expert on Korea will visit Pyongyang on Monday, in his first trip after the White House detailed allegations that the North had helped Syria build a reactor, a Japanese news agency said Sunday. AFP

French bid may secure nuclear firm Foreign power companies such as France’s EDF will lead the charge to take control of Britain’s largest nuclear power generator when detailed offers are submitted to the government this Friday. The Guardian

Nuclear threat sparked tea worry The threat of a nuclear attack on the UK in the 1950s caused concern over the supply of tea, top-secret documents which have now been released reveal. BBC

Opinion and Analysis

Iran dictates its terms to the Security Council Ria Novosti

Diffusing the Persian bomb Khaleej Times

Reaching Out To Pyongyang Newsweek

Iran, IAEA to resume nuclear talks: envoy Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog will resume their latest talks by the end of next week, a top Iranian official said, after a new round of discussions over claims Tehran is seeking atomic weapons ended. AFP

Pat for India at IAEA convention India got a pat on its back at a key IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) convention for steps taken to ensure foolproof safety of its 17 operating nuclear plants and six under construction with probability of any untoward incident being extremely remote. The Hindu

Other Nuclear News

N. Korea Agrees to Blow Up Tower at Its Nuclear Facility North Korea has agreed to blow up the cooling tower attached to its Yongbyon nuclear facility within 24 hours of being removed from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, diplomats said this week. WP

Bill likely to complicate North Korea nuclear talks A US congressional committee yesterday approved legislation that could complicate Washington’s efforts to reach a denuclearisation deal with North Korea. FT

Rice raises new doubts about Iran’s nuclear program Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice raised fresh doubts Thursday about the nature of Iran’s nuclear program, saying if the clerical state really wanted only an avenue to peaceful atomic energy it could quickly have it. AP/ Reuters

U.S. military criticizes Iran but says no strike plan The U.S. military on Wednesday dismissed speculation that it was drafting new plans to attack Iran but again charged Tehran with supporting Iraqi militias and the Taliban in Afghanistan. Reuters

Iran complains to U.N. about Clinton comment Iran complained to the United Nations on Wednesday about U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s comment the United States could “totally obliterate” Iran in retaliation for a nuclear strike against Israel. Reuters

Israeli Cabinet minister: Iran could have nuclear bomb technology this year An Israel Cabinet minister has warned Iran could have nuclear bomb technology in 2008, at least a year earlier than previously believed. AP/ AP

Azerbaijan releases Russian equipment for Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant Azerbaijan released a shipment of Russian equipment for Iran’s first nuclear power plant on Thursday, more than a month after it was halted at its border, a customs official said. AP

Iran-Europe gas deals alarm US The US and its allies are worried that the sanctions regime against Tehran is under threat from a possible new wave of European investment in Iran’s strategically important gas sector. FT

Nuclear’s CO2 cost ‘will climb’ The case for nuclear power as a low carbon energy source to replace fossil fuels has been challenged in a new report by Australian academics. It suggests greenhouse emissions from the mining of uranium - on which nuclear power relies - are on the rise. BBC

Afghan ‘health link’ to uranium Doctors in Afghanistan say rates of some health problems affecting children have doubled in the last two years. Some scientists say the rise is linked to use of weapons containing depleted uranium (DU) by the US-led coalition that invaded the country in 2001. BBC

Opinion and Analysis

North Korea and Syria: Oh what a tangled web they weave The Economist

War with Iran? That Will Be for the Next President WP

The Litvinenko files: Was he really murdered? The Independent

Bush Says Syria Nuclear Disclosure Intended to Prod North Korea and Iran President Bush said Tuesday that last week’s disclosure of what senior American officials called evidence of a nearly completed nuclear reactor in Syria was intended to warn North Korea and Iran about the dangers of spreading nuclear weapons. NYT

India urges Iran to work with UN nuclear watchdog, says official India on Tuesday said Iran had the right to peaceful use of atomic energy but asked Tehran to cooperate with the United Nations nuclear watchdog, an official said. AFP/ Reuters

Iran says UN should stay out of nuclear cargo row with Azerbaijan The dispute over a Russian equipment delivery for Iran’s first nuclear plant, detained last month by Azerbaijani customs officials, must be resolved without the UN, Iran’s envoy to Baku said on Tuesday. Ria Novosti

Other Nuclear News

Russia to examine Iran’s nuclear ideas: report Russia was quoted as saying on Tuesday it was ready to examine Iranian proposals to end a deadlock over Tehran’s disputed nuclear program. Reuters

World Jewish Congress head wants Swiss to cancel Iran deal The president of the World Jewish Congress said Tuesday that Switzerland should cancel a multibillion-dollar contract to buy natural gas from Iran because the deal will strengthen an Islamic regime that is a threat to Israel and the U.S. AP

Bush administration pushes nuclear pact with Russia The Bush administration hopes to send a pact on civilian nuclear cooperation with Russia to Congress in the next month, but a congressional aide said on Tuesday that resistance would be strong over the deal. Reuters

Inside the heart of nuclear India Nuclear energy and secrecy literally go hand in hand; in a rare treat NDTV takes you up close and personal with India’s nuclear program. NDTV

Nuclear may lose green tag if fuel costs rise Environmental costs of nuclear power are likely to increase as high-grade uranium becomes harder to find, according to new research that has been challenged by the uranium industry. ABC Australia

Eisenhower Advisers Discussed Using Nuclear Weapons in China Senior Air Force officers proposed using 10-to-15-kiloton nuclear bombs against targets in Communist China in 1958, in the event that Beijing blockaded the Taiwan Strait, but President Dwight D. Eisenhower ruled out that option, according to a newly declassified Pentagon document. AP

Opinion and Analysis

US blundered by crying wolf and keeping secrets The Times

Chain reaction The Guardian

Hayden: Syrian site could have produced fuel for 2 weapons CIA Director Michael Hayden said Monday that the alleged Syrian nuclear reactor destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in September would have produced enough plutonium for one or two bombs within a year of becoming operational. AP

Alleged Syria-North Korea Nuclear Cooperation Raises Questions U.S. intelligence officials last week outlined details of what they said was North Korean nuclear assistance to Syria. Syria has denied U.S. allegations that it was running a covert nuclear weapons program or that it was getting help from Pyongyang. As VOA correspondent Gary Thomas reports, the timing of the revelations has raised questions about the motivation for their release. VOA

Iran Discusses “Serious” Nuclear Ideas With Russia Iran discussed with Russia on Monday its proposals to defuse a nuclear row with the West, which accuses Tehran of seeking to build atomic bombs. Reuters

Top UN nuclear official in Iran for more talks The UN nuclear watchdog’s deputy chief Olli Heinonen held fresh talks with Iranian officials on Monday, just a week after his last discussions over claims Tehran is seeking nuclear weapons. AFP

A Tantalizing Look at Iran’s Nuclear Program Barbed wire and antiaircraft guns ring a maze of buildings in the Iranian desert that lie at the heart of the West’s five-year standoff with Tehran over its program to enrich uranium. NYT

US calls for fresh approach to nuclear sanctions The United States on Monday called for a fresh approach to sanctions for countries determined to develop nuclear weapons, saying extra incentives were needed to dissuade countries from pursuing nuclear energy technologies. AFP

Other Nuclear News

US, SKorean envoys meet over NKorea’s nuclear issue US and South Korean envoys on Monday discussed “next steps” in a six-nation effort aimed at ending North Korea’s nuclear weapons drive following recent revelations that Pyongyang helped Syria build an atomic facility. AFP

China, North Korea pledge to promote 6-nation nuclear talks China and North Korea pledged Monday to work together to kick-start stalled six-nation talks on the North’s nuclear program, China’s state news agency said. AP

Iran, Syria, West clash at meeting to save atom pact Iran and Syria clashed with the West on Monday over accusations of suspicious nuclear activity in both countries, clouding the start of global talks on how to salvage the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Reuters

Tunisia and France sign accords on civilian nuclear cooperation, immigration France and Tunisia signed accords on nuclear cooperation and immigration on Monday, the first day of French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s state visit to the North African nation. AP

Spain nuclear leak won’t shape renewal policy: govt A radioactive leak at a Spanish nuclear plant which required the screening of up to 800 people will not sway any decisions on the country’s ageing reactors, Energy Secretary Pedro Marin said on Monday. Reuters

UK nuclear power revival at risk of delays Pensioned-off engineers will have to be brought out of retirement if the revival of nuclear power is not to be hit by serious delays, the Government has been warned. Telegraph

Opinion and Analysis

The old drumbeat The Guardian

U.N. Nuclear Agency to Study Claims of Secret Syrian Reactor The United Nations nuclear watchdog pledged Friday to investigate whether Syria had secretly built an atomic reactor with North Korean help, but the agency also criticized the United States for delaying the release of intelligence. Reuters

Syria ready to cooperate with IAEA: Syrian envoy Syria’s U.N. envoy said Damascus was “not afraid” to cooperate with the U.N. nuclear watchdog, which pledged on Friday to look into whether Syria secretly built an atomic reactor with North Korean help. Reuters

Syria president denies building nuclear reactor Syrian President Bashar al-Assad denied in remarks published on Sunday that a site raided by Israel last year was a nuclear reactor under construction as charged by the United States. AFP

US should have shared Syria nuclear intel earlier: legislators Top US legislators questioned why the US only revealed this week that Syria had built a military-oriented nuclear facility, and asked why Washington had not shared its intelligence with the UN’s nuclear watchdog. AFP

Accusing N. Korea May Stall Nuclear Pact The Bush administration gambled this week that its detailed accounting of North Korean assistance to a Syrian nuclear program would help pave the way for a nuclear disarmament agreement with Pyongyang, but the allegations so angered Republican lawmakers that support for a deal may be seriously weakened. WP

Atomic expert questions US’ Syrian reactor claim A nuclear physicist close to the United Nations atomic watchdog cast doubt Saturday on the veracity of US intelligence which claimed that Syria had been building a secret atomic reactor. AFP

US reactor claim fuels Arab fears of strike The political storm in Washington over North Korea’s alleged assistance for a nuclear reactor in eastern Syria may be welcomed by Arab states that favour more intense international pressure on Damascus, but the Arab public will greet the claims with scepticism. FT

Top UN nuclear official in Iran for more talks The UN nuclear watchdog’s deputy chief Olli Heinonen was to hold new talks with Iranian officials on Monday, just a week after his last discussions over claims Tehran is seeking nuclear weapons. AFP/ AP

Iran plays down return of UN inspectors Iran on Sunday played down the return visit of inspectors from the UN nuclear watchdog to Tehran and said that the talks would only be within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). DPA

Iran to Give Nuclear Proposals to Russia: Radio Iran will hand over to Russia a package of proposals designed to defuse a nuclear row with world powers, state radio said on Monday without giving details. Reuters

Other Nuclear News

US ambassador says NKorea-Syria nuclear revelations will not disrupt arms talks North Korea’s alleged nuclear cooperation with Syria has already been an issue in nuclear talks and evidence released by U.S. officials will not affect arms negotiations, the top American envoy to South Korea said Monday. AP

Iran demands Russian nuclear shipment Iran demanded Sunday that Azerbaijan deliver a Russian shipment of nuclear equipment blocked at its border with Iran for the past three weeks. AP

U.S. Weighing Readiness for Military Action Against Iran The nation’s top military officer said yesterday that the Pentagon is planning for “potential military courses of action” as one of several options against Iran, criticizing what he called the Tehran government’s “increasingly lethal and malign influence” in Iraq. WP/ Reuters

Doomed Chernobyl reactor to be buried in giant steel coffin Twenty-two years after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, work is under way on a colossal new shelter to cover the ruins and deadly radioactive contents of the exploded Soviet-era power plant. AP

Belarusian graduates sent to work in Chernobyl zone against their will Several thousand supporters of the beleaguered Belarusian opposition marched through the capital on Saturday to mark the anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear accident and protest an alleged government cover-up of the disaster’s consequences. AP

Opinion and Analysis

Drama with Syria Khaleej Times

North Korea and Syria Asahi Shimbun

Yielding To N. Korea Too Often WP

Top IAEA official returning to Iran: report The deputy chief of the UN nuclear watchdog is due to return to Tehran next week for more talks about claims Iran has been studying how to make an atomic weapon, the student news agency ISNA reported on Friday. AFP

White House: Syria ‘must come clean’ about nuclear reactor built with help from North Korea The White House says North Korea’s secret work on a nuclear reactor with Syria was “a dangerous and potentially destabilizing development for the world.” It says the episode raises doubts about Pyongyang’s intention to carry through with a promised disclosure of its nuclear activities. AP

North Korea Talks May Survive Syria Report, U.S. Says U.S. officials and lawmakers said that nuclear disarmament talks with North Korea may go forward even as the Bush administration accused the regime in Pyongyang of helping Syria to build a secret nuclear reactor. Bloomberg

Other Nuclear News

Government Releases Images of Syrian Reactor The Bush administration released detailed photographic images on Thursday to support its assertion that the building in Syria that Israel destroyed in an airstrike last year was a nuclear reactor constructed with years of help from North Korea. NYT/ FT

Syria denies U.S. accusation over nuclear reactor Syria on Thursday dismissed U.S. accusations that North Korea was helping it build a nuclear reactor that could produce plutonium. Reuters

US envoy Hill says NKorea, Syria not cooperating now US chief nuclear negotiator Christopher Hill said North Korea and Syria were no longer cooperating in nuclear work despite the US administration’s allegations of help on a secret reactor. AFP

Iran Nuclear Ambitions Are Major Gulf Threat: NATO NATO’s secretary-general told Gulf Arab states on Thursday that Iran’s nuclear ambitions were a major threat to regional stability. Reuters

Report: Iran says Russia responsible for Azerbaijan block of equipment for nuclear plant Iran is holding Moscow responsible for the halt in Azerbaijan by authorities there of a Russian shipment of nuclear equipment to Iran, according to a report this week by the semiofficial ISNA news agency. AP

German utility prepares to build two nuclear power stations in UK E.ON, the German-owned utility which supplies gas and electricity to millions of customers in Britain, said yesterday that it planned to build two nuclear power stations in the UK. The Guardian

Opinion and Analysis

North Korea Redux NYT

With Syria ‘reactor’ video, U.S. sends a warning CSMonitor

FAQ: What did Israel bomb? The Guardian

Clinton goes nuclear in battle for White House FT

What Nuclear Renaissance? The Nation

Iran to Discuss Alleged Studies of Atomic Arms Iran has agreed to answer contentions stemming from American and other intelligence reports that it studied how to design nuclear weapons, the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency said Wednesday. Reuters/ DPA/ AFP

Tehran plays down ElBaradei remarks on resolving Iran issue Tehran played down Wednesday’s remarks by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Mohamed ElBaradei, who termed Iran’s agreement to discuss alleged nuclear weapons studies as a ‘milestone’ in solving questions about the country’s nuclear programme. DPA

Leave it to IAEA, says Pranab A day after firmly turning down the U.S. advice, India made it clear that it was for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to decide on the nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. The Hindu

UPA-Left panel meet on May 6 The United Progressive Alliance -Left joint committee on the India-U.S. civilian nuclear deal will meet here on May 6, Communist Party of India (Marxist) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury said on Wednesday. The Hindu

Other Nuclear News

Video Links North Koreans to Reactor, U.S. Says After seven months of near-total secrecy, the White House is preparing to make public on Thursday video evidence of North Koreans working at a suspected Syrian nuclear reactor just before it was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike last September. NYT

US diplomat arrives in Seoul after trip to North Korea over stalled nuclear talks A U.S. delegation returned Thursday to Seoul from a trip to North Korea aimed at ending an impasse in long-running negotiations on the communist nation’s nuclear disarmament. AP

Iran tells Russia to end Azeri nuclear cargo delay An Iranian official said Russia was responsible for timely delivery of equipment stopped by Azerbaijan when in transit to Iran’s first nuclear power plant, a news agency said on Wednesday. Reuters

Satellite images reveal China’s underground nuclear submarine base China is building a large underground nuclear submarine base at its sub-tropical Hainan Island, says Jane’s Information Group, specialists in military intelligence. The Australian

Nuclear waste storage inaugurated in Chernobyl Ukraine’s President Viktor Yushchenko Wednesday inaugurated a nuclear waste storage and processing centre in the contaminated zone around the Chernobyl nuclear station ahead of the catastrophe’s 22nd anniversary, his press service said. AFP

Utah governor opposes imports of Italian nuclear waste Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman says he is reversing his stance and will block the shipment of Italian nuclear waste to a desert dump site in his state. AP

Opinion and Analysis

Plutonium on the Euphrates WSJ

Perils of Proliferation Harvard International Review

Iran says IAEA nuclear talks were “positive” Iran gave an upbeat assessment on Tuesday of two days of talks with the top investigator of the U.N. atomic energy watchdog, who was looking into Western reports that Iran secretly studied how to design nuclear bombs. Reuters

India rejects US advice on Iran India has rebuffed a call by the United States for it to ask Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment programme. BBC

As cancer cases rise in Albania, UN agencies join forces to help fight disease The United Nations nuclear watchdog and the world body’s health agency are teaming up to try to slow the spread of cancer in Albania, where the number of diagnosed cases has surged in the past two decades Trend News

Zambia to issue uranium mining licences in June Zambia will begin to issue uranium mining licences to foreign firms in June after a United Nations agency endorsed its uranium mining regulations, a minister said on Tuesday. Reuters

Other Nuclear News

U.S. to brief on alleged N.Korea-Syria nuclear link The Bush administration plans to brief U.S. lawmakers behind closed doors on Thursday about North Korea’s suspected nuclear cooperation with Syria, congressional sources said on Tuesday. Reuters

American arrested as nuclear spy for Israel The United States arrested an 84-year-old American on Tuesday suspected of giving Israel secrets on nuclear weapons, fighter jets and missiles in the 1980s, in a case linked to the Jonathan Pollard spy scandal that rocked U.S.-Israeli relations. Reuters

U.S. Gesture on Enrichment Sales Splits Atom Suppliers A U.S. offer to set criteria rather than seek a ban on uranium enrichment technology sales to non-nuclear states failed to win over critics led by Canada at a 45-nation meeting on Tuesday, diplomats said. Reuters

German industry chief lauds coal and nuclear power Germany must pursue novel coal and nuclear energy technologies to secure its future power production and ensure that climate targets can be met more easily, the head of industry association BDI said on Tuesday. Reuters

Europe Turns to Coal Again, Raising Alarms on Climate At a time when the world’s top climate experts agree that carbon emissions must be rapidly reduced to hold down global warming, Italy’s major electricity producer, Enel, is converting its massive power plant here from oil to coal, generally the dirtiest fuel on earth. NYT

The Kazakh Rockefeller of Nuclear Fuel The flame-licked doors of a hydrogen furnace clattered open at a Cold War-era bomb factory in Kazakhstan’s Ural Mountains, spilling a tray of baked metal capsules into the pale winter light. The Moscow Times

Opinion and Analysis

Splitting the atomic scientist Guardian

Nuclear Iran The Times of India

BRIEFING: Nuclear attack a worst-case reality? The Washington Times

Iran-IAEA end their first day talks A concerned official said the first day of talks between Deputy IAEA Chief Olli Heinonen and Iranian officials in the venue of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization headquarter here ended on Monday. IRNA

Italy joins EU drive for more Iran sanctions Italy is expected to join a European Union consensus on Iran’s nuclear program, after dropping earlier objections last week, possibly paving the way for new sanctions, a government official in Jerusalem said. Haaretz

‘Domestic politics will decide the fate of n-deal’ India’s domestic politics will decide the future of the Indo-US nuclear deal and future negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said Anil Kakodkar, chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, here on Monday. Economic Times

Uganda: Country Turns to Nuclear Power Plants Hamstrung by unpredictable climatic changes that have reduced the water levels in Lake Victoria and the amount of hydroelectricity generated by dams along the River Nile, the Ugandan government is turning to the more predictable nuclear power. The East African

Nigeria: Agency Evacuates High-Risk Radioactive Sources Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) yesterday in Abuja said it had evacuated three high-risk radioactive sources from the country. Leadership Nigeria

Nonproliferation essential to future of nuclear power: experts Full-fledged reinforcement of the international nuclear nonproliferation framework is of vital importance for facilitating peaceful use of nuclear power and thereby for addressing the pressing global challenges of energy supply and global warming, according to a private policy study group. The Japan Times

Other Nuclear News

U.S. Team Headed to Pyongyang in Search of ‘Significant Progress’ For the first time since the United States eased demands on North Korea for nuclear disclosure, a U.S. delegation is headed to the communist state to try to verify the extent of its nuclear program. WP

Clinton: If Tehran nukes Israel, U.S. could ‘totally obliterate’ Iran Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, facing a crucial primary in Pennsylvania Tuesday, said that if she were in the White House and Tehran attacked Israel with nuclear weapons, the United States would be able to ‘totally obliterate’ Iran. Haaretz

Russian shipment for Iranian nuclear plant blocked Azerbaijan halted a Russian shipment of equipment intended for Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, demanding more information for fear of violating United Nations sanctions, officials said Monday. AP

U.S. Relaxes Bid to Halt Atom Enrichment Tech Sales The United States has given up efforts to ban uranium-enrichment technology sales to non- nuclear states, instead proposing criteria for such trade to win over critics in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, diplomats say. Reuters

Colombia Reflects Rising Threat of Nuclear Terrorism The Colombian government revealed last month that the country’s FARC rebels were seeking to acquire enriched uranium. The rebels may have been more interested in trading the uranium to a terrorist group than in developing it into nuclear arms for their own purposes. NPR

Opinion and Analysis

UAE shows the way Khaleej Times

A clean source for future energy needs Gulf News

U.N. official in Iran to press for nuclear answers The U.N. nuclear watchdog’s top investigator arrived in Tehran on Monday to press Iran for answers to Western intelligence which suggested it covertly studied how to design atomic bombs. Reuters/ IRNA

Iran dismisses Bush and Brown nuclear charges Iran said on Sunday U.S. and British accusations that Tehran wanted a nuclear weapon were baseless and the Islamic state would not stop its peaceful atomic work. Reuters

UAE vows to import enriched uranium for any reactor The United Arab Emirates said on Sunday that it will import enriched uranium for any reactor it builds as it sought to distance itself from the more controversial aspects of nearby Iran’s nuclear programme. AFP

We will soon bring nuclear deal to fruition: Menon India on Saturday said it would be happy to participate in providing a home to a nuclear fuel bank for supplying fuel to nations interested in renewing their atomic energy programmes. The Hindu

Other Nuclear News

Bush: North Korea must declare nuclear programs The United States and South Korea on Saturday demanded North Korea submit its long overdue accounting of its nuclear weapons programs but offered no clues about how long they would be willing to wait for it. Reuters/ AP

N.Korea Must Disclose Nuclear Programs: Fukuda Japan and South Korea agreed on Monday that North Korea needs to swiftly give a full account of its nuclear programs, Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said. Reuters

North Korean plutonium ‘not accounted for’ North Korea told the United States in December it had produced a total of around 30 kilograms of plutonium, about 20 kilograms less than what the US estimates, a Japanese newspaper reported today. Reuters

Report: Russia decommissions a reactor producing weapons-grade plutonium Russia closed down a plutonium producing reactor Sunday, marking a major milestone in U.S. nuclear nonproliferation efforts, a Russian news agency reported. AP

Afghan Ministry Denies Evidence Of Depleted Uranium The Afghan Public Health Ministry denied on Sunday a media report that there was evidence of nuclear contamination in the Tora Bora mountains of eastern Afghanistan. Reuters

Pakistan Tests Nuclear Capable Ballistic Missile Pakistan’s army test-fired a long-range, nuclear-capable ballistic missile on Monday, the military said, the second test since the weekend. Reuters

Opinion and Analysis

Now He’s Ready to Deal NYT

Russia plans nuclear project for Kaliningrad Ria Novosti

Iran progress on atom centrifuges slow: IAEA Iran’s progress in developing uranium enrichment is slow and recent additions to its nuclear fuel production complex have only been older-model centrifuges, the head of the U.N. atomic watchdog chief said on Thursday Reuters/ Bloomberg/ AP

U.S. and UK united against Iran nuclear programme The leaders of the United States and Britain on Thursday pledged a united effort to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, possibly by expanding sanctions against Tehran. Reuters

IAEA agreement not final: Kakodkar Even as the Left and the UPA get set to hold another round of talks soon on the Indo-US nuclear deal, a new twist has come to light. NDTV

Other Nuclear News

Rice says verifying N.Korea declaration to take time U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Thursday that verifying a North Korean nuclear declaration would take time and suggested some U.S. sanctions on Pyongyang may be dropped before it is complete. Reuters

SKorea seeks resumption of nuclear talks with NKorea South Korea wants stalled talks aimed at ending North Korea’s nuclear programs to resume quickly, Seoul’s new nuclear envoy said Thursday. AP

Olmert says Iran will never be a nuclear power Iran will never become a nuclear power, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was quoted on Thursday as saying, as Iran’s president was proclaiming his country the “most powerful nation” on earth. AFP

Iran Sanctions Having Impact: U.S. Officials Defending their approach to thwarting Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Bush administration officials on Thursday said U.S. financial sanctions were increasing pressure on Tehran by isolating it from the international business world. Reuters

Pakistan has effective nuclear command: PM Pakistan has an effective command and control structure for its nuclear weapons and they are fully safe and secure, the country’s new prime minister said on Thursday. Reuters

Japan to boost its nuclear capabilities Amid skyrocketing oil prices and growing fears of global warming, Japan has decided to step up the promotion of nuclear power as a solution to both problems. UPI

Westinghouse Says Nigeria, Egypt Interested in Nuclear Program Westinghouse Electric Co., the nuclear-reactor builder controlled by Toshiba Corp., said Nigeria, Morocco and Egypt have expressed interest over what it would take to develop a nuclear program. Bloomberg

Nuclear to help USA stop emissions growth President George Bush says he has put the USA on a path to slow, stop and eventually reverse the growth of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 - and promoting the use of nuclear energy will help achieve that goal. WNN

Scientists urge cutbacks in U.S. nuclear arsenal Saying that the existing weapons program undermines national security, the group of 95 also wants the government to renounce first use of the bombs. LATimes

Opinion and Analysis

Spinning out nuclear talks The Economist

Deterring the Undeterrable WP

A Deal With Pyongyang? WP

Briefing: Nuclear power CNN

Envoys at talks on Iranian nuclear program reach some agreements on incentives for Tehran Talks on incentives aimed at persuading Iran to stop its nuclear program ended with no clear result, though the meeting’s chairman said diplomatic efforts would continue. AP

Europe urges more oversight of Iranian nuclear program The European Union has called on Iran to open its nuclear program to greater international scrutiny by joining a treaty that would let other nations review safety at its nearly finished nuclear plant. AP

Mideast peace process needs wise broker, Arab League chief says No progress in the Middle East peace process is possible without an honest broker who can exert pressure on Israel to stop its settlement policy, the chief of the Arab League said on Wednesday. “It is obvious that there is no wise broker,” Amr Mussa, Secretary General of the Arab League, said during a visit to Austria. “We are running out of time,” he added. DPA

‘US very committed to N-deal with India’ The US says it is “very committed” to the India-US civil nuclear deal and is “still working on it” even as it has been stalled due to opposition from the Indian government’s Leftist supporters. IANS/ FT

Other Nuclear News

New mechanism set to verify North Korea’s nuclear program A mechanism is being set up to scrutinize any declaration provided by North Korea of its nuclear weapons program, the United States said Wednesday amid scepticism over a tentative deal between the two nations. AFP

US sending diplomats to North Korea to nudge deal U.S. diplomats plan to visit North Korea for a final round of negotiations meant to resolve a dispute that has hung up a landmark nuclear disarmament deal for months, a senior Bush administration official said Wednesday. AP

Clinton, Obama tackle Iran issue in debate The United States should offer to protect countries in the Middle East from Iran if those countries forgo nuclear weapons of their own, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday. Reuters

EU nuclear chief: Investment needed European Union countries must prepare to invest substantial sums in maintaining and securing nuclear reactors, the EU energy commissioner said. UPI

Spain nuclear watchdog sees more safety after leak Safety controls could be stepped up at Spain’s nuclear power stations following a leak at a plant that will require the screening of hundreds of people, a leading nuclear security official said on Wednesday. Reuters

Russia to build nuclear power plant in its westernmost Kaliningrad region Russia’s nuclear chief said Wednesday that his agency would build a nuclear power plant in the nation’s westernmost Baltic Sea region of Kaliningrad, news reports said. AP

Spain issues warning after case with low-level radioactive material goes missing Spain’s Nuclear Safety Council has issued an alert after a case of equipment containing low-level radioactive material was stolen from a car. AP

Directors Say National Labs Are Underfunded The directors of the nation’s three national nuclear weapons laboratories say that budget cuts by Congress and the Bush administration have reduced their ability to carry out scientific research needed to ensure the reliability of the nation’s nuclear arsenal in future years. WP

Opinion and Analysis

Analyze This: It’s time to think, and speak, the unthinkable about Teheran The Jerusalem Post

Latin America on Verge of New Nuclear Age Energy Tribune

IAEA chief ElBaradei to discuss Iran standoff in Berlin Mohamed ElBaradei, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is set to discuss the standoff with Iran over that nation’s nuclear programme in Berlin on Thursday before attending a conference on nuclear fuel. DPA

China steps forward in new bid to end Iran dispute China edges nearer the centre of contention over Iran’s nuclear ambitions on Wednesday by hosting talks of diplomatic powers on whether to offer stronger incentives to Iran to curb atomic work. Reuters

IAEA Announces New Funds to Support Decommissioning of Serbian Nuclear Research Reactor The European Commission has agreed to contribute about $7 million to support the removal of spent fuel from a retired Serbian nuclear research reactor, the International Atomic Energy Agency announced today. Global Security Newswire

Antineutrino Detector Could Spot Atom Bomb Cheats Part of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s job of ensuring nuclear safety is to make certain that civilian reactors are not diverting any nuclear material to make weapons. Spectrum

Other Nuclear News

McCain Says Would Apply Diplomacy Squeeze on Iran Republican John McCain on Tuesday promised to apply massive diplomatic and financial pressure on Iran to try to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon if elected president. Reuters

Clinton calls for limited talks with Iran Democratic White House hopeful Hillary Clinton on Tuesday called President George W. Bush’s Iran policy “a loser” and recommended low-level talks with a country the United States has labeled a sponsor of terrorism. Reuters

Congress to scrutinise N Korea nuclear deal The US administration’s compromise deal with North Korea over the form of a nuclear declaration by Pyong­yang is likely to come under close scrutiny on Capitol Hill. FT

North Korea to Declare Nuclear Program This Month, Hankook Says North Korea will submit a list of its nuclear programs and materials by the end of this month, the Hankook Ilbo newspaper reported, citing an unidentified South Korean government official. Bloomberg

Risk of Nuclear Attack on Rise Concerned that not enough attention is being paid to the risk of a nuclear attack, a Senate committee yesterday looked at the consequences of such a terrorist strike in Washington — and said that more could be done to save lives. WP

EU energy chief backs nuclear in climate fight The European Union’s energy chief gave unusually forthright backing on Tuesday to nuclear power as a means of helping to fight climate change, but he stressed the need for tighter security. Reuters

Iranian official’s meeting with IAEA head postponed A meeting between a senior Iranian nuclear official and the head of the U.N. atomic energy agency has been postponed, Iran’s official IRNA news agency and the U.N. agency said on Sunday. Reuters/ Reuters

New Iran incentives and sanctions unlikely now: Rice The United States will consider both fresh incentives or sanctions to persuade Iran to rein in its nuclear program but major changes are unlikely now, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Friday. Reuters

Israel, U.S. sign nuclear cooperation agreement Israel and the United States signed an agreement several days ago to step up cooperation in the field of nuclear safety. The move is part of Israel’s efforts to receive foreign assistance in ensuring that the aging nuclear reactor at Dimona continues to operate safely. Haaretz

Jordan-France uranium-for-reactor deal imminent Jordan is very close to signing a deal with France whereby the first gets a nuclear reactor in seven years while the latter gets access to uranium resources, an informed Jordanian government source said. KUNA

Yemen to seek IAEA assistance Yemen will ask the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for technical assistance for implementing projects in areas such as agriculture, medicine, nuclear security and safety and the scientific research at a cost of $ 2 million. Saba News

Other Nuclear News

Iran signals diplomatic initiative in nuclear row Iran, defying the West over its disputed nuclear program, said on Sunday it would soon unveil proposals aimed at resolving “international” and other problems. Reuters

G8 ponders new carrot and stick approach to Tehran The world’s big powers will meet this week to discuss how to increase incentives for Iran to rein in its nuclear programme. But their parallel effort to intensify sanctions on Tehran is encountering difficulties, with long-awaited European Union measures unlikely to be agreed before June and set to fall short of the US’s ambitions. FT

US and Iran holding ’secret’ talks on nuclear programme Iran and the United States have been engaged in secret “back channel” discussions for the past five years on Iran’s nuclear programme and the broader relationship between the two sworn enemies, The Independent can reveal. The Independent

Israel hopes for Arab consenus on Iran nuclear drive Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni will visit Qatar for the first time on Sunday and hopes there is a chance to build a consensus among Arab nations against Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which worry many Gulf states. Reuters

SKorea to North: Drop Nuclear Program South Korea’s president renewed his call Sunday for North Korea to scrap its nuclear weapons programs and said Seoul is ready for talks with Pyongyang. AP

Israeli nuclear dissident seeks asylum in Norway Israeli nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu has asked for asylum in Norway for a second time, Norwegian officials said on Friday, but they held out no hope that he would be accepted. Reuters

French premier visits Japanese nuclear plant, vows to cooperate on climate, energy France’s prime minister toured a nuclear reprocessing plant in northern Japan on Saturday, hailing the facility as a symbol of friendship between the two countries and vowing to take global leadership in promoting nuclear power as a solution to climate change. AP

Defects found in nuclear reactor the French want to build in Britain Safety investigators uncover cracks in the concrete base and substandard welds. Lack of recent experience in building nuclear plants said to have caused problem The Independent

Opinion and Analysis

Israel Can Stand Up for Itself NYT

Do satellite photos show Iran ballistic missile facility? CSMonitor

The Gulf is going nuclear Emirates Business

An acceptable European nuclear option The Sunday Times

Mottaki: Aqazadeh visit to Vienna has not been canceled Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Monday that the visit of head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Reza Aqazadeh to Vienna has not been cancelled but postponed to later opportunity. IRNA

President: Iran to put nuclear know-how at disposal of all nations President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad here on Monday expressed Iran’s readiness to put its expertise on peaceful nuclear technology at disposal of all nations within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regulations. IRNA

Uganda: Govt Drafts Nuclear Energy Bill In the wake of oil discovery the government has drafted a new Bill seeking to guarantee peaceful application of nuclear energy in the country. The Monitor

Other Nuclear News

Carter calls on U.S. to start direct dialog with Iran Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, defending a contentious plan to meet Hamas leader Khaled Meshal, said yesterday that he hoped to become a conduit between the militant group, Washington and even Israel. Haaretz

U.S. Senate to discuss N. Korea-Syria nuclear ties The American administration intends to give the Senate Intelligence Committee an account of the nuclear ties between North Korea and Syria for the first time on April 22. Haaretz

White House says US accepts tentative nuke deal with North Korea President George W. Bush accepts a tentative deal reached by US and North Korean negotiators which is aimed at breaking a deadlock in nuclear disarmament talks, the White House said on Monday. AFP

S. Korea replaces top nuclear envoy South Korea replaced its chief nuclear negotiators Tuesday, putting the final touches on a sweeping shake-up of senior diplomats under the new government. Yonhap

Up to 800 People Checked After Spain Radioactive Leak Up to 800 people are being examined for contamination after a leak of radioactive material at a nuclear plant in northeast Spain last November, the nuclear watchdog said on Monday. Reuters

U.S-Japan team plans new nuclear reactor in Wales A U.S-Japanese consortium is working on a plan to build a new nuclear reactor in Wales that would not involve Britain’s biggest nuclear power firm, British Energy , the Times newspaper said on Monday. Reuters

Coral flourishing at Bikini Atoll atomic test site Coral is again flourishing in the crater left by the largest nuclear weapon ever detonated by the United States, 54 years after the blast on Bikini Atoll, marine scientists said on Tuesday. Reuters

Opinion and Analysis

Politicus: Lack of Iran strategy makes 2009 look risky IHT

How Iranians are avoiding sanctions FT

Business of the Bomb Center for Investigative Reporting

US diplomat says Iran is hardening its position over disputed nuclear program Iran is hardening its resolve over its disputed nuclear program, a U.S. diplomat said Thursday ahead of upcoming talks between the six nations seeking to convince Tehran to halt uranium enrichment. AP

Iran says no ‘technical problems’ in nuclear programme Iran denied Friday that it faced any “technical problems” in expanding its controversial nuclear programme, which the West fears could be diverted towards weapons development. AFP

Spy photos reveal ’secret launch site’ for Iran’s long-range missiles The secret site where Iran is suspected of developing long-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching targets in Europe has been uncovered by new satellite photographs. The Times

AQ Khan issue is over, says FO Controversy surrounding the position of nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan is over, and there were no international objections to the new government’s intention to relax restrictions imposed on him, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Thursday. Daily Times

Other Nuclear News

U.S. Lays Out Way to Break N.Korea Nuclear Deadlock The United States and North Korea may have found a way to break their deadlock over the long overdue North Korean declaration of its nuclear activities, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday. Reuters

Japan extends sanctions against North Korea for 6 more months Japan extended for six months Friday the economic sanctions imposed on North Korea for conducting its first test of a nuclear weapon in 2006. AP

Japan, France agree to cooperate on climate change, nuclear energy Japan and France agreed Friday to cooperate on climate change and promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy. AP

Pakistan’s Musharraf to hold nuclear talks in China Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said Thursday he will call upon Beijing during his six-day official visit of China to enhance nuclear cooperation between the two countries. DPA

Russia may build medium-capacity n-plant in Mongolia - Kiriyenko Russia may build a low or medium-capacity nuclear power plant in Mongolia, the general director of the Rosatom corporation, Sergei Kiriyenko, said after talks with Mongolian Prime Minister Sanjaagiin Bayar on Thursday. Itar-tass

Drug to protect against radiation A drug which may protect the body against damage from radiation has been developed by US scientists. BBC

Fine Proposed for Sleeping Nuke Guards The federal government wants to fine Florida’s largest electric company $130,000 because security guards slept on duty at a nuclear plant. AP

Opinion and Analysis

Adrift on Iran NYT

Business of the Bomb Center for Investigative Reporting

Iran Warns West Of “Bloody Nose” Over Nuclear Issue Iran’s president on Wednesday warned the West to expect a “bloody nose” over mounting pressure on Iran to halt its sensitive uranium enrichment activities, state television reported. Reuters

Switzerland shrugs off Jewish group’s attack on Iran deal Switzerland shrugged off a renewed attack over a gas supply deal with Iran Wednesday, after a Jewish group took out full page ads in international and Swiss newspapers charging that the country is funding terror. AFP

Namibia on India radar for uranium With the indigenous atomic power programme starving for fuel and the Indo-US nuclear deal on the backburner, the Government is exploring the option of sourcing uranium from non-NSG countries. The Hindu Business Line

Kazakhstan’s Scary Uranium Ambitions The Central Asian country intends to become the global leader in uranium production. Its proximity to hotspots like Pakistan and Afghanistan worries some Business Week

Other Nuclear News

China: N. Korea Nuke Progress This Fall? A breakthrough in North Korea nuclear talks may have to wait until this fall, China’s top negotiator said Wednesday. AP

NKorea: Consensus reached with US on compensation for delayed nuclear declaration North Korea said Wednesday it has agreed with the United States on what it will receive in exchange for handing over its long-delayed nuclear declaration, the main stumbling block at arms talks. AP

US governor sends advisor to NKorea for nuclear talks New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson sent his senior advisor to North Korea Wednesday for talks on efforts to end the hardline communist state’s nuclear weapons program. AFP

Iran to Open Uranium Processing Plant Iran will inaugurate a new uranium ore processing plant in less than a year in Ardakan, central Iran, a top nuclear official said Wednesday. AP

Iran envoy offers nuclear technology to all Muslim states Iranian judiciary chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi told leaders of the Gulf Arab state of Qatar on Wednesday that his country was willing to put its controversial nuclear expertise at the service of all Muslim states. AFP

Next-generation nuclear fuel may be too hot to handle: report New high-efficiency nuclear fuel meant to burn longer and stronger may prove unstable in an emergency and hard to dispose of, according experts cited in a report published Wednesday. AFP

Australia could lead safe path to nuclear NUCLEAR power generation is set to expand dramatically across the region in a development that raises safety and security concerns for Australia and should be dealt with by a Federal Government push for stronger international safeguards, a Lowy Institute paper says. The Sydney Morning Herald

Marshall Islands eyes better deal on nuke tests The Marshall Islands intends to renegotiate a pact with the United States to win new compensation for radiation illnesses and contamination caused by its nuclear tests in the 1940s and ’50s on Bikini and other atolls. Asahi

Opinion and Analysis

Why does Iran need thermonuclear bubbles? Ria Novosti

Iran Claims To Install New, Faster Centrifuges Iran is installing a new generation of nuclear centrifuges capable of enriching uranium five times more rapidly than the country’s existing technology, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced Tuesday. WP

Major powers set for Iran talks in Shanghai The five veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany and the EU, will meet in Shanghai next week to discuss negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, China said Tuesday. AFP